Back on October 2, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson Jihan Sheikh Ahmed accused the SAA of aiding an ISIS attack east of Raqqa city. This exchange of accusations between Russia and its allies on one side, and the US and its allies on the other side is for sure a reflection of a dangerous tension between them. These tensions could easily led to further escalations in post-ISIS Syria.

Imo both SDF and SAA and their backers should refrain from this stupid flammatory talks about counterattacks coming from the other.

If tensions flare to the point of clashes, only IS will gain and it might even be the objective of IS to do so.

Imo both set of accusations are highly unlikely and only posturing to deflect criticism for obvious lapses in surveillance, security and decisionmaking.

FlorianGeyer

So we now know where the US airlift of ISIS terrorists from the Eastern Raqqa most likely went to. It was the US occupied Al Tanf area where these experienced ISIS commanders would have been a great advantage for the US trained terror groups there and as by magic with a little help from US satellites and drones they avoided the SAA checkpoints along the way in the desert to their target chosen by the US/Israel.

Bob

For years US agencies have been notorious for sponsorig a raft of salafist factions under the fraudulent cover of the ‘FSA’ – as long as it meant more manpower weaponized against the Syrian state and its leadership. Now that the US has thrown all its weight behind SDF, and given that the US objectives remain broadly the same, why would the US agencies modus operandi in Syria with the sponsored SDF be any different than previously? Various ranking eastern members of ISIS certainly appear to have concluded that the SAA are the real danger to them, whereas the SDF controlled territory is the far safer and softer option:

Syria and her allies have proof of cooperation between US, US backed militants and ISIS (which was released and more will come). Does SDF possess any proof of SAA’s cooperation with ISIS? Jihan, either show us the proof or kindly STFU.

Jens Holm

They just have taken many prisoners and might have “asked” them.

Elain ??

Was this before or after SDF released them?

Bob

Released them, and or offered them a new employment opportunity!?

Elain ??

Rebels/SDF never change.

Jens Holm

Thats right. I do rely in most of it, but some can be not the whole truth.

Jens Holm

Im sure its one of the sources only. It has several times before being rapported, that something strange happend at the Maydeen bank just west of it. Thats has mainly being rapported as fake. Some might not be that.

I havnt seen Felah and others lies, only not telling all and having secrets as well. Its not in the SDF culture to do that.

SDF`s have camps for ISIS.

Garga

Conveniently forgetting aerial photos, are we?

Jens Holm

Selfie of You? Your purpose only seemes to be throwing dirt at SDF, USA a.s.o.

By that You are very reliable.

Garga

Aerial photo selfie, hmmm… You are genius, I must try that.

As for my purpose, my dear boy, now you are projecting.

SFC Steven M Barry USA RET

How do we know that Kurd transvestite is lying? “She” is Kurdish.

Jens Holm

Very high level, if You come from very low.

Jesus

Clean up these parasite terrorists from along M-20, this desperate US effort of directing this ISIS counterattack does not compromise Russia, SAA and allies effort on east side of Eufrates.

FlorianGeyer

BUT with airpower and artillery.

Jesus

Yes, some manpower is needed as well, supported by air power and arttilery and rocket forces to flush out some ISiS remanants on a suicide mission.

Solomon Krupacek

why have russian ships red board?

FlorianGeyer

Al Masdar News is back on line with up to date reports. Good news indeed.

BMWA1

This from them AMN on the ISIS offensive:

“BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:55 A.M.) – One week ago, the ISIS terrorist group launched a powerful multi-front offensive against the Syrian Arab Army in eastern Syria. The offensive, code-named ‘Abu Mohammad al-Adnani,’ saw the jihadist faction take control of large sections of the M20 highway and make threatening gains in the direction of as-Sukhnah and the T-3 military airport.

Pro-government forces quickly counter-attacked and have since reversed most ISIS gains.

The first thing worth clarifying is that the strategic towns of Kattajb and ash-Shoula – situated along the M20 highway – are in the hands of pro-government forces, with attacking ISIS militants being expelled from them several days ago.”

Iit looks large in scale and not isolated to one town as some here assume, so I assume also with external assistance, the desert to south is wide and scarcely controlled, and there are ‘rebel’ pockets there too bordering Jordan. KSA has made very large weapons purchases very early on in Trump (mis-) administration, maybe these have filtered through to ‘front line’ units (ISIS etc.). SAA certainly has few regular troops available to cover this large stretch with terrorist units being constantly reinforced.

That SAA is winning the war does not mean that SAA has won the war, this could be far away if the attitude of Syria-Hezbollah-Iran-Russia ground troops decay and enter in a confident behavior. Do not try to win many battles and loose the war. Fight the battles that will win the war.

Terra Cotta Woolpuller

The nice thing is that HTS leadership is in disarray , most of it’s security detail and top leaders are either crippled missing legs and arms or dead. This should send a message that the SAA are not in the mood to play around with the US, so no more games.